Electrically-heated starting-vaporizer for internal-combustion engines.



H. HERTZBERG-& A. A. LOW. ELEGTRIGALLY HEATED STARTING VAPORIZER FOR INTERNAL UOMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.16,'190 7.

latented mm 1909.

WITNESSES mm! Tons Harry HerizZerj UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY HEBTZBERG, or NEW Yo-nK, AND A-BBOT' A. Low, or H-ORSESHOE, NEW YORK; sAn) HERTZBER-G ASSIGNO R TO SAID LOW.

ELEG'IRICALIiY-HEATED STARTING VAPO RIZER FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES I Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1909.

Original a uembn filed February 11, 1907, Sam No. 856,792. Divided andam applioationflied April 16; 1907.

Serial'No. 868,555.

ada )ted to be used for starting an internalcom ustion engine, the latter'being adapted to employ a liquid combustible, such as kerosene, for .the purpose of starting the engine and for thereafter continuing the operation of said engine, whereby it is nec essary to use-one kind of fuel only in the 20 engine. The subject matter of this application is a division of a prior application filed by us on the 11th da ofFebruary, 1907, Serial No. 356,792, wierein We have shown and described variousforms of starting vaporizers, each of which embodies the same generic features of a mass of heat-absorbing metal and an electrically operated heater incased by said mass and adapted 'to heat the sameto a temperature requisite for convertlng a combustible liquid into a Vapor, which vapor is adapted to be ignited in a piston cylinder forthe purpose of furnishlng the energ required for the operation of 35. the en ine W on starting the same.

In t 1e present application the heater consists of a plurality of units, each composed of a mass of heat absorbing metal and electrically o erated heatin means I incased 40 within'sai mass of meta. 'Said units are arranged for aliquid combustible to strike or impingehipon the surfaces presented by the heated metallic masses, whereby the liquid is converted into a vapor, which va- ,45 por, in the preferred form of the invention, is adapted to be mixed with atmospheric air for the purpose of producing a charge ada ted to be ignited in a piston cylinder. aid electrically-heated metallic masses may be included-in series or in multiple in the electric circuit, and provision is made, preferably, for switching the units individually into and onto]? the electric cir- I cuit, whereby the efiective area of the va 0- rizer may bevaried and changed (either mcreased or diminished) as circumstances ma require or the exigencies of the case deman 1n the accompanying drawings, we have illustrated one practical embodiment of the invention, but the construction shown therein is to be understood as illustrative only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical section illustrating our starting vaporizer in connection with 5' one type-of. internal combustion'engine, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 11 of Fi Zlooking in the di rection of the arrow. ig. 2 is a horizontal section onthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1. .Fig. 3 is a detail View in cross section of one unit employed in our starting va orlzer.

The startin vaporizer oi: our invention consists of a p urality of units, A, which are spacedwith relation td one another, prefer- 76 a ly in the parallel order shown in Fig.

2 of the drawings. Each unit is composed of a mass of metal, and electrically operated" means incased within said mass for heating the same, substantially as shown in Fig. 3 of 80 the drawings. The mass of metal is represented as parallel plates, b b, of copper or other metal adapted-to absorb the heat developed by an electrical resistance when a current passes through said" resistance. In Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, said electrical resistance is re resented as a thin or at tenuated, metallic wire or ribbon, 0, but ,it will" be understood that we may substitute for this metallic wire or ribbon any equivalent material, such as a carbon resistance. In the embodiment of the invention shown, however, the wire or ribbon is coiled or wrapped on a core, 03, which consists, preferably, of a thin layer of insulating inaterial, such as mica}. The com, d, of insulating material serves to electrically insulate one side of the winding from' the other, side thereof, said winding beingflat as shown in the drawings. resistancevwound thereon is placed betweenthe parallel.plates,b, b, of the vaporizer unit, and-said resistanee wire or ribbon is insulated electrically from the metallic plates, 1), I), by interposed-layers, e, e, of 105 insulating material,'such as mica. By refer- The core with the electrical ence to Fig. 3' it will be seen that the resistance wire or ribbon is, practically, in mechanical contact with the adjacent plates, b, 1), although said wire or ribbon is in- 5 sulated electrically from said plates by the interposed layers, 6, e. We prefer to employ mica as the material for the core, (1, and for the insulating layers, 6, e, for the reason that this material may be used. in.

very thin layers which, while they are efiicient in electrically insulating the winding of the resistance coil, do not afiord any obstruction, practically, for the transmission of heat from the said resistance wire or ribbon to the plates, b, b. Another advantage of the construction is that the electrical heater is very compact, and takes up a very 1 small amountof room between the plates ofthe metallic mass. We ma employ any desired number of the electrically heated units, A, according to the desired capacity of the vaporizer, and the area of the surfaces to be presented thereby for contact with the liquid combustible. Asshown'in Fig. 2, we employ four units, but the number may be de-' creased or increased at will. The units are con led in spaced order by any suitable or re erred means, and in the example shown 1n Figs. 1 and 2, said units are threaded on bolts, B, the latter passing through the units near the corners thercot, although this is not essential. Furthermore, the units may be of any desired shape andsize, and it is tobe understood that we do not restrict our-. selves to the use of the.oblong units shown inFigs. 1 and 2.

, The units of the vapoiizerare'adapted to be supportedor mounted in a suitable way 40 so as to be in the path of a liquid combustible. The'vaporizer shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is supported or-carriedon a base, C, consisting of two members adapted to be arranged at the respective ends of the va orizer and to be fastened to the units, X, by certain of the bolts, B, the parts of said base, C, being secured fixedly in place by screws, 0'. It is.evident,'however, that the particular means for supporting the arts of the vaporizer may be modifie or changed within wide limits. 1

Our starting vaporizer is adapted for use in connectiomwith any-type of internal combustion-en no, but in Figs. 1 and 2 we have shown sai vaporizerin connection with an engine which is operated by the ignition of combustible char es of kerosene. The engine cylinder is indicated by the referencecharacter D, one end of said cylinder being 150 closed by a'water jacketed head, E, the latter being provided with a seat for a valve,

F. This valve may be operated mechanically by connections with a moving part of the engine in a manner well understood by 65 those skilled in the art, but as shown, the

ance windings," 0, of. the units, -A. From valve is closed on its seat by the action of a spring, f, said valve being unseated by the suction created in the piston cylinder by the movement of the piston therein. On the cylinder head, E, is mounted a casing, G 0 which provides a mixing chamber, g, an this casing is formed at one end with an air inlet, H, the. area of which is regulated by a suitable valve, h. Between the mixing chamber, 9, and the air chamber of the inlet, H, is a diaphragm, I, composed preferably of metallic gauze. A jet nozzle, J, is coupled to the casing, G, at a point opposite to the diaphragm, and-this nozzle is adapted to supply, at intervals, ajet of combustible liquid, the latter being forced across'the chamber, 9, so as to strike against the diaphragm, 1, thereby breaking up the jet of liquid combustible into a spray. It is evident, however, that the diaphragm, L may 35 be omitted, and that the liquid combustible may be caused to impinge directly on the heated surfaces of the units, A, forming our new vaporizer.

In the example shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the. multiple unit vaporizer is arranged in the air inlet, H, and opposite-to the jet noz'zle, J, but this particular location is not essential for the reason that said vaporizer may 00- cupy other positions in the engine. The .va orizer located as shown, however, is wel adapted for use for the reason that the jet of liquid combustible is adapted to be thrown directl against the surfaces of, and between, the units, A, and furthermore, said vaporizer is in the path of the infiowing air admitted by the regulator, h, whereby the air is com- "mingled with the vapor and is adapted to be drawn into the piston cylinder when the valve, F, is opened.

Suitable means are provided for supplying anelectric current to the resistance coils of the units, A. The units may be connected in series or in parallel, but in Fig. 2 we have shown said units included in multiple in an electric circuit, K. One of the conductors, k,'passes through a bushing, Z, and'it has a series of branch connections with the'resistsaid resistance windings extend the conductors, m, which are carried throu h suitable insulating bushings, 0, attached to the "casing, said conductors, m,.terininating in switch contact, 1;. The other conductor, is, of the circuit has a series'of branches, 70 corresponding 'to the conductors, m, and these branches, 70 are connected individually to switches, L, the latter being adapted to engagewith the switch contacts, p.

The described construction enables any one or more of the units, A, to be included in the electric circuit, K, bythe sim le adjustment of the switch or switches, 1 3, into engagement with contacts, p, and rovisionis thus made for controlling atwil the num- 130 'ber of units, A, which are to be heated by the admission of the electric current. to the resistance windings thereof. I

The operation of the invention will. be readily understood from the foregoing descriptlon taken in connection with the drawings. One source of diiiiculty in starting a kerosene oil engine is a tendency of the oil to condense by contact with the cold surfaces of the cylinder. This objection is overcome by electrically heating anyv desired number of the units, A, before starting the engine.

The proper number of switches, L, are operated to close the circuit through the units of the vaporizer, and when current is admitted to the resistance windings, the heat developed therein is communicated directly to the masses of metal of the'units, A, whereby the vaporizer-may be brought quickly to the temperature required to convert the liquid into vapor. When the va ori zer is heated', the oil pump is started y cranking the engine, and a number of successive jets of liquid is forced from the nozzle through the chamber, 9, into contact with the diaphragm, I, and with the hot surfaces of the vaporizer units, A. The operation of cranking the engine before mentioned operates the piston and opens the valve, F, thus creating a suction through the chamber, 9, and drawing air through the intake, H. The air is mixed with the vapor due to the contact of the liquid combustible with the units air and of the vaporizer, and this mixture of air and vapor is drawn into the cylinder so as -to be exploded by the operation of the igniter, M. When the engine is in running order the casing, G, is heated by the cylinder, D, and the current is switched off from the starting vaporizer, the latter remaining idle during the o eration of the engine.

Having thus ully described the invention, what weclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. In a device of the class described, a vaporizing chamber adapted to communicate with an engine cylinder, means for admit-- ting air to said chamber, means forsupply ing a li uid combustible to the chamber, and

- a plura ity of vaporizing units positioned within said vaporizing chamber and opposite to the air inlet thereto, said liquid combustible supply means bein positioned to direct the liquid combustible between, and against, the surfaces of said vaporizing units, and electrical means forheating said vaporizing units individually. or collectively. f

2. An engine-starting vaporizer comp'ris-* ing a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of vaporizing units I positioned within saidchamber and spaced relatively to each other for the purpose of securing a circulation of iquid fuel between them, each unit being composed'of a mass 0 heat-absorbing metal and an electrically-operated heater incased insaid mass, the metallic mass presenting an lmperforate and heatable vaporizing surface, and means whereby an electric current may be admitted separately to collectively thereto.-

3. In a device of the class described, a -va orizing-chamber havin anair inlet and a uel inlet, a plurality 0% spaced vaporizing units which are located within said chamber. and in the path of the air and a posed of amass of heat-absorbing metal and an electrical resistanceincased in said metallic mass, the metallic mass of each unit presenting a heatable vaporizing surface, and electrical means for heating the 4. A vaporizer com rising at vaporizing chamber, a plurality o vaporizing units positloned withm said chamber and spaced with relation to each other for the circula-' vaporizing units positioned within said with each other, the individual vaporizing units beingeach provided with an incased electrical resistance, and means for supplying electric current to resistances of said vaporizing units collectively or individually.

6. An engine-starting vaporizer comprising a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of vaporizingunits disposed within the chamber and arranged out of engagement with eachother to roduce intermediate spaces for the circulation between them of a l1quid combustible, and electrical means whereby ally or collectively.'

7. An engine-starting vaporizer comprising a vaporlzing chamber having an air inlet, means for supplying a liquid combustible to said chamber, a plurality of electrically heated vaporizing units within said chamber and opposite the air inlet thereto, said vaporizing unlts being arranged out of engagement with each other to reduce intermediate spaces whereby a com ustible' vapor may circulate between them, and means for supplying an electrical current individually orscollectively to said" units. ing a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of inde endentl' vaporizing units positioned within said chamber, and arranged out of the resistances of said vaporizing units on An engine-starting vaporizer compris liquid combustible adapted to be supplied thereto, each vaporizing unit being comvaporizing units individually or collectlvely.

ing a vaporizing chamber, 'a plurality of V chamber and disposed outof engagement said vaporizer unitsmay be heated individu- I engagement with each other to produce in- '13 chamber having valved communication with an en lne-cyhnder', means whereby air and a liqui combustible are supplied to said chamber, a plurality of vaporizing units within ,said chamber and arranged out of engagement with each other to produce spaces throughwhich theair and the liquid combustible may circulate, each unit having" a heat-absorbing elem'entfwhich is expose for contact with the li uid combustible, and means for supplying e ectric current to the vaporizing units col ectively or individually. 10. Ina device of the class described, a

. chamber having an air inlet, a plurality of electrically-heated vaporizing units which are spaced relative to each other, thereby "producing spaces for the circulation of air and a liquid combustible between said units,

'ing a heat-absorbin' means for projecting a liquid combustible into contact with said units, each unit havmember which is e):- sed for contact with the liquid combustie, and means for supplyin electric'current to the vaporizing units co lectively or individually.

11. In a device of the class desci'ibed,- an electric circuit, a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of vaporizing units positioned within the chamber and included in 'multiple in said circuit, said units being spaced for the circulation between them of a liquid combustible, means whereby the units may be individually cut into and out ofsaid circuit, andmeans for supplying a liquid combustible to said chamber.

12. In a device of the clas's described, a

chamber havin means for admitting: air thereto, a plura ity of vaporlzmg units posltioned within the chamber and arranged in. the path of the air admitted to said'chamber,

said units being spaced for they circulation between them of the air, means whereby a ,li uid combustible is brought into contact with the surfaces of said unlts, and electrical means for heating the vaporizing units severally or collectively.

13. In a device of the class described, a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of parallel vaporizing units separated from each other.

- and producing spaces for the circulation of a liquid combustible between them, means for supporting said units within said chamber, means for spraying a liquidcombustible against the units, and electrical means for heating the vaporizing units collectively or individually.

14. In a device of the class described, a

chamber having an air inlet, a plurality of va or-izing'units sup orted in said chamber ad acent to the air in ct, whereby air is free surfaces of said units, means for spraying a.

liquid combustible into said chamber and into contact with the surfaces of said units,

and electrical'means for heating the vaporizing units collectively or indivi ua'lly.

'15. In a device of the class described, a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of parallel chamber and relatively spaced therein for the circulation of a liquid combustible between them, each unit being composed of a mass of heat-absorbin metal and an elec- 'to. circulate between and in contact with the vaporizing units posltioned within" the.

trical resistance incase in said metallic mass,

supplied individually or-collectively to said units, and means for supplying a liquid combustible to said chamber.

' 16. In a device of the class'described, a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of vaporizing units within said chamber, means for spacing said units in substantially parallel relation, whereby the surfaces of the individual units are exposed for contact with a.

.means whereby an electrical current may ,be

liquid combustible which is to be converted into a gaseous explosive .medium, and electrical means for heating the vaporizing units collectively or individually.

17.'In' a device of the class described, a vaporizing chamber, a plurality of vaporizing units positioned within said chamber,- each unit being composed of a mass of heatabsorbing metal and an electrical resistance incased within said mass, means for s ac'mg said units in. substantially parallel re ation,

whereby the surfacesof the individual units are exposed for contact with the mediums to be vaporized and heated, and electrical means for heating the vaporizing units collectively or individually.

p 18. In a device of the class described, a. vaporizin chambei'iihavinga air and fuel inlets, a p urality of vaporizing units each composed of a mass of heat-absorbing metal and an electrical resistance incased within said mass, means for spacingsaid units in substantially parallel relation to each other and within said chamber, whereby the Suifaces of. the individual units are exposed for contact with the mediums to be vaporized and. heated, and means whereby an electrical current may be supplied to the resistances of said units individually or collectively.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses: I Y J HARRY HERTZBERG.

v ABBOT A. LOW. Wit'nesses': I Geo. Wa LmeGInnmos, 

